Vapor-Pressure Driven Pump as Propellant Supply Tank in Space/Vacuum Environments

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Track Code	2018-ALEX-68293
Categories	Aeronautics
Keywords	Aeronautics Fluid Pump Propellants Spacecraft Propulsion
Public Abstract	The manipulation of liquid in space and other vacuum environments has been a challenge. Any advancement in this field would be a breakthrough that could lead to further discovery in spacecraft propulsion. Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method of manipulating liquid fluids in low pressure, gravity-free environments. This technology is a gravity-free pump with a self-regulated, low head pressure that can be used as a propellant supply tank for micropropulsion systems operating in space or other vacuum environments. It has been tested in a vacuum chamber to replicate the nominal operating procedure. Advantages: -Manipulates fluids in low pressure, gravity-free environments -Self-regulated, low head pressure Potential Applications: -Micropropulsion systems -Space or other vacuum environment
People	Alexeenko, Alina (Project leader) Cofer, Anthony G Collicott, Steven Howard Fowee, Katherine Pugia, Steven Michael
Intellectual Property	Application Date Oct 4, 2019 Type Utility Patent Country of Filing United States Patent Number (None) Issue Date (None) Application Date Oct 4, 2018 Type Provisional-Patent Country of Filing United States Patent Number (None) Issue Date (None)
Contact OTC	Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization The Convergence Center 101 Foundry Drive, Suite 2500 West Lafayette, IN 47906 Phone: (765) 588-3475 Fax: (765) 463-3486 Email: otcip@prf.org